nicewrk
1 post
Apr 08, 2010
4:15 AM
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Hello all ,
Been sittin in the wings listening and thanks a lot of harp smartz in here. I played harp when i was a kid and a marine band was a buck three eight and a blues harp was cheaper. Now a decent harp is 30bucks. I loved john Mayall at the time ( doesnt get much mention but he sure did a lot to save the harp in popular music. Havent played much harp in the last 30 tears ( stuck to guitar abd keyboards)but here I am again and beleive me I either suck or i blow. I am jaming with some local rockers,"hoping to find some bluesmen". Anyways heres my question.
i got a good deal on a blackheart bh-5 head and cabinet and would like to optimize it for harp. Is anyone using this gear and has ay mods helped its voice? I am using a "microvox mic" which I kinda like small hands make it hard to cup most bullets and its portable to carry around (like they say small hands - small feet).
I know this amp has been discussed before but i didnt see any thing about mods other than changing tubes (ax7 to
au7?)
Thanks guys and gals,
Play on,
Half Blind Mango McChutney
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Joe_L
141 posts
Apr 08, 2010
9:14 AM
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I wouldn't mess with that amp. I would just buy a Lone Wolf Harp Tone+ pedal. Go to the Lone Wolf web site and listen to the videos done by htownfess using the Harp Tone+ with a Superlux mic and a Epiphone Valve Jr half stack. It sounds killer.
There is a long list of people with small hands that get great tone. Many of them have played bullet mics.
Last Edited by on Apr 08, 2010 9:25 AM
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Bluzdude46
587 posts
Apr 08, 2010
9:15 AM
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Class A 5w tube amp is pretty basic. Look at Lone Wolf mods to Epi Vjr and match it to the Blackheart. Comes down to getting the pre amp signal correct and better filtering plus a treble control. I say this with NO experience with the Blackheart box itself. But How different can it be. Look at the diagrams and compare. 5w amps I like the 12ax7 in
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The Original Downtown Philadelphia Fatman... Accept No substitutes!
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nicewrk
2 posts
Apr 08, 2010
8:52 PM
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Went and messed with it today. It does sound pretty good, guitar too. I am tempted. I still wonder if any one has tweeked one for harp. An english company has a long list of mods for different valves and voicing anyone use this with success. I did look at the lone wolf pedals they look intersting. Im relatively sure the old records were made with spring verbs or old school studio techniques. I am still wondering why there seems to be a little stigma associated with black heart? Seems a nicer box than the crate v5 which some harp players mention.
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congaron
781 posts
Apr 09, 2010
11:46 AM
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Here's something to consider, if you have one as a guitar player. The digitech rp series makes a very good jam rig that fits in a briefcase. I carry mine with a Di box and just go straight into the PA. i use a low z mic and either use an impedance transformer on the pedal input or use my wireless rig. The whole thing and 12 harps is in my briefcase. No amp to lug, no tubes to swap..two minute setup including looking for a stool to put the briefcase on. For the jam I play in, space is limited onstage.
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Joe_L
146 posts
Apr 09, 2010
11:55 AM
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There isn't a stigma associated with the Blackheart amps. In fact, I know several people that find them superior in quality to the Epiphone Valve Jr. Some have also said they are easier to mod and use better quality components.
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nicewrk
3 posts
Apr 09, 2010
5:40 PM
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Thanks con... an JoeL. I was just jonesing for a tube low watt tube rig. I think I will go for it the price is well amazing.
I use a digitech genx for harp and guitar recording and to the PA and it sounds pretty darn good.
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Greg Heumann
386 posts
Apr 09, 2010
7:10 PM
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Low watt tube rig IS NOT EQUAL to "jam rig."
I never need more power and more speaker than at a jam. Jams get out of control volume wise. My band - no problem. Practicing? Recording? No problem. Rehearsal? No problem. Jam? BIG problem. You generally won't even have the help of a friendly sound guy. If you really mean "jam amp" - I recommend 4 tens and 45 watts, minimum. I've been buried at jams even with my Cruncher. Some jams ARE better, but some are not.
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/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
BlueState - my band
Bluestate on iTunes
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nicewrk
5 posts
Apr 10, 2010
4:12 AM
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I understand Greg. I can mike the amp. Looking for a little tone at a little $$$. For Old fellas with old backs Big azz boxes w/4 speakers are out unles they are motorized.... Hmmm theres an idea
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Kingley
1097 posts
Apr 10, 2010
5:03 AM
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Portability and cost is where many small - mid sized amps really excel. They also have monster tone in the right hands. If you know you can definitely mic it up or line out then it can be a good choice.
Sometimes though you don't get the chance to mic up at a jam. This is where those big 410 amps can really come into their own.
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